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New Porsche Macan ICE AWD & Q5 Platform Details

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Key Takeaways:
  • Porsche has reversed its decision, confirming a successor to the internal combustion engine (ICE) Macan, set to debut around 2028, alongside the EV variant.
  • The next ICE Macan will feature a front-biased all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, a departure from traditional Porsche setups, enhancing agility and driver engagement.
  • It will utilize Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, shared with the third-generation Audi Q5, leveraging proven engineering while maintaining Porsche's distinct character.
  • Power will come from a mild-hybrid (MHEV) 2.0-liter turbocharged TFSI petrol engine, likely mirroring the Audi Q5's 204 PS unit with a 24 PS/230 Nm e-motor.
  • This strategic pivot reflects market realities, including a significant drop in Porsche's profit and sales in key markets, suggesting a balanced approach to electrification.

Table of Contents


Did Porsche truly bid farewell to the internal combustion engine Macan, or is there a surprise twist in this electrifying automotive saga? While the world eagerly anticipates the all-electric Macan, recent reports from Autocar, citing sources, reveal an unexpected and significant development: the petrol-powered Macan is making a strategic comeback. This isn't just about preserving tradition; it's a data-driven response to evolving market dynamics, including a notable 67% year-on-year drop in Porsche's pre-tax profit in the first half of this year and a 28% sales decline in China. In this comprehensive post, we will Explore the upcoming Porsche Macan ICE's front-biased AWD setup and its shared platform with the Audi Q5. Learn what this means for performance. We'll dive deep into the technical specifications, the market forces at play, and what this means for the future of Porsche's beloved compact SUV, setting clear expectations for what this differentiated model will offer enthusiasts.


The Unforeseen Return of an Icon: Porsche's Strategic Pivot

For a brief period, it seemed the internal combustion engine (ICE) Macan had driven its last mile, with Porsche signaling a full transition to electric for its popular compact SUV. However, as the automotive landscape continues its rapid transformation, market realities have prompted a significant re-evaluation. Earlier this year, Porsche confirmed an about-turn on its decision, announcing that a petrol-powered Macan successor is indeed in development, slated to run alongside the newly unveiled all-electric version.

This strategic pivot is not merely a nostalgic gesture. Data indicates a direct correlation with recent financial performance: a substantial 67% year-on-year drop in pre-tax profit during the first half of the year, coupled with a 28% decline in sales in the crucial Chinese market. While Porsche remains committed to its long-term electrification goals – initially aiming for EVs to constitute 80% of its sales volume by 2030 – these figures underscore the importance of maintaining a diverse product portfolio that caters to a wider global audience, particularly those not yet ready for a full electric transition.

Porsche CEO Oliver Blume confirmed these efforts in July, emphasizing that the new ICE model will be "differentiated from the electric Macan." This suggests a distinct identity, both in terms of design and driving dynamics, ensuring both models can appeal to their respective segments without direct competition. Development has been reportedly fast-tracked to three years, pointing to an estimated debut for the new ICE Macan around 2028.


Under the Hood: Front-Biased AWD and MHEV Power

The next-generation ICE Macan, known internally by its M1 codename, promises intriguing technical specifications that will shape its driving character. Autocar reports indicate a key highlight: a front-biased all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain. This is a notable shift for a brand often associated with rear-biased or even rear-wheel-drive performance vehicles. A front-biased AWD system typically means that more power is sent to the front wheels under normal driving conditions, only engaging the rear wheels when additional traction is required. For the driver, this can translate to enhanced stability and predictable handling, particularly in adverse weather conditions, while still offering the grip benefits of AWD during spirited driving. While it may offer a different feel than a rear-biased setup, Porsche's engineering prowess will undoubtedly tune it for dynamic performance that aligns with the brand's ethos.

Underpinning this AWD system will be a petrol powertrain with mild-hybrid (MHEV) assistance. Referencing its shared platform partner, the third-generation Audi Q5, the expectation is the deployment of a 2.0-liter turbocharged TFSI petrol engine. This potent unit, likely producing around 204 PS, will be integrated with a 24 PS/230 Nm e-motor. This mild-hybrid setup enhances efficiency by assisting the engine during acceleration, allowing for smoother start/stop functionality, and enabling energy recuperation during braking. This combination provides a boost in low-end torque, improving responsiveness, while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Notably, current plans do not include PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or diesel versions, focusing instead on this advanced mild-hybrid petrol solution.


The PPC Platform: A Foundation of Performance and Practicality

A crucial aspect of the upcoming ICE Macan's development is its foundation on the Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. This shared platform approach is a well-established strategy within large automotive conglomerates, offering significant benefits in terms of cost efficiency, component sharing, and accelerated development cycles. The PPC platform is notably shared with the third-generation Audi Q5, a vehicle renowned for its blend of luxury, technology, and performance.

For Porsche, utilizing the PPC platform means leveraging proven engineering and state-of-the-art technologies. It allows engineers to focus their efforts on Porsche-specific tuning, ensuring the Macan retains its distinctive driving dynamics and premium feel. While the core architecture might be shared, Porsche's magic lies in its ability to differentiate. This involves bespoke suspension tuning, unique steering calibration, distinct powertrain mapping, and of course, the iconic Porsche design language both inside and out. The aim is to create a vehicle that feels unmistakably a Porsche, even while benefiting from the efficiencies of a shared platform.

This approach highlights a shrewd balancing act: harnessing the economic advantages of platform sharing without diluting the brand's core values. It allows Porsche to offer a highly competitive product in terms of technology and refinement, while still delivering the engaging driving experience and prestige that customers expect from the Zuffenhausen marque. The collaboration ensures that the new ICE Macan will inherit a robust, modern, and versatile foundation, ready for Porsche's specialized performance enhancements.


What This Means for Macan Enthusiasts and the Market

The decision to proceed with an ICE Macan successor carries significant implications for both enthusiasts and Porsche's broader market strategy. For loyal Macan fans who cherish the visceral experience of a petrol engine and aren't quite ready for the electric revolution, this news is a welcome relief. It ensures that a petrol-powered option, with its familiar sounds and sensations, will remain available for the foreseeable future, offering a choice alongside the advanced EV model.

From a performance perspective, the front-biased AWD system, combined with Porsche's renowned chassis tuning, suggests a highly capable and engaging SUV. Drivers can expect a dynamic experience, possibly more forgiving at the limit than a purely rear-wheel-drive setup, while still delivering the agility and responsiveness characteristic of a Porsche. The mild-hybrid powertrain ensures contemporary efficiency and instant torque delivery, making it suitable for both daily commutes and spirited drives. This blend of traditional power with modern hybrid efficiency speaks directly to consumers seeking a balance between performance, practicality, and environmental consciousness without fully committing to electrification.

Strategically, this move demonstrates Porsche's pragmatic adaptation to market realities. While the ambition for 80% EV sales by 2030 remains, the current market sentiment, particularly in regions like China, indicates a need for a more gradual transition. By offering both ICE and EV Macan models, Porsche can cater to diverse preferences, mitigate risks associated with rapid shifts in consumer demand, and potentially stabilize profit margins. This dual-pronged approach allows Porsche to maintain its competitive edge in the luxury SUV segment, appealing to a broader demographic and ensuring continued sales growth. For personalized insights into how different powertrains might suit your driving style, consider test driving both the current ICE Macan and the upcoming EV, if possible, to truly understand the differences in feel and performance.


The Road Ahead: Balancing Tradition and Innovation

The return of the internal combustion engine Porsche Macan successor is more than just a product launch; it's a profound statement about Porsche's adaptability, market responsiveness, and commitment to its diverse customer base. By embracing a front-biased AWD system and the robust PPC platform shared with the Audi Q5, Porsche is crafting a differentiated ICE offering that promises to uphold its legacy of performance and luxury, even as it navigates the transition to an electric future. This pragmatic approach, driven by market data and consumer demand, ensures that the spirit of the Macan will continue to thrive in both its petrol and electric forms. Explore the upcoming Porsche Macan ICE's front-biased AWD setup and its shared platform with the Audi Q5. Learn what this means for performance. and it becomes clear that Porsche is thinking strategically.

What are your thoughts on Porsche's decision to continue the ICE Macan? Do you believe this dual-platform strategy is the right move for the brand? Share your predictions for its market impact in the comments below! And if you're curious about the future of performance SUVs, why not explore our deep dive into the all-electric Macan EV here or learn more about the evolution of AWD systems in sports cars?


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why did Porsche decide to bring back the ICE Macan successor?

A: Porsche's decision was largely influenced by market realities and financial performance. A significant drop in pre-tax profit and sales in China indicated a continuing demand for internal combustion engine vehicles, especially among customers not yet ready to transition to full electric. This move allows Porsche to cater to a broader market and mitigate risks during the global shift to electrification.

Q2: What is "front-biased AWD" and how does it affect driving performance in the new ICE Macan?

A: Front-biased AWD means that the system primarily sends power to the front wheels under normal driving conditions, only engaging the rear wheels when extra traction is needed. For the driver, this typically results in more stable and predictable handling, especially in varying road conditions. While different from a traditional rear-biased Porsche setup, it is expected to offer a highly engaging and secure driving experience, tuned by Porsche for agility and responsiveness.

Q3: How will the new ICE Macan be differentiated from the electric Macan, given their parallel development?

A: Porsche CEO Oliver Blume has stated that the new ICE Macan will be "differentiated from the electric Macan." This implies distinct platforms (PPC for ICE, PPE for EV), different powertrains (mild-hybrid petrol vs. electric motors), and likely unique design cues, interior layouts, and driving dynamics tailored to their respective power sources. The goal is to offer two distinct, yet equally premium, Macan experiences.

Q4: When can we expect the new petrol-powered Porsche Macan to debut?

A: With development reportedly fast-tracked to three years, the new ICE Macan is estimated to make its global debut around 2028. This would place it a few years after the initial launch of the all-electric Macan.

Q5: Will the shared PPC platform with the Audi Q5 compromise the "Porsche feel" of the new ICE Macan?

A: While the next ICE Macan will share its Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture with the third-generation Audi Q5, Porsche is renowned for its ability to heavily re-engineer and tune shared platforms to meet its exacting performance and driving standards. Expect Porsche to implement bespoke suspension, steering, powertrain calibrations, and unique styling to ensure the new Macan delivers the distinct "Porsche feel" of precision, sportiness, and luxury, differentiating it significantly from its Audi counterpart.

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